Flash light



Dec, 23, 924.

H. MCKENNA FLASH LIGHT Filed Fem 14, 1924 2 sheets-sheet 1 WITNESES IN VEN TOR @wmf IQ 1 will@ A TTORNE YS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y enna,

BY I. L.)

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS FLASH LIGHT H. MCKENNA Filed Feb,

Dec, 23, 1924.

Patented Dec. 23, 1924.

UNITEDl STATES HORATIO MCKENNA, OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON.

FLASH LIGHT.

Application filed February 14, 1924.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HoRA'rio MCKENNA, a subject` of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Edmonds, in thc county of Snohomish and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flash Lights, of which the following is a specification.

rIhis invention relates to flashlights and has for its object the provision of a device in which the focusing is accomplished by the actuation of a sliding switch for closing the circuit to the lamp. l

Another object of the invention is the provision of a flashlight in which the rays of the lamp are focused by the continuation of the movement of a switch controlling the circuit and whereby the position of the lamp relative to the reflector is varied or the relector is adjusted relative to the lamp.

This invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following` detailed description, in view of the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification; nevertheless it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the disclosure, being susceptible of such changes and modifications which shall define no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a flashlight showing a form of combined switch and focusing means.

Figure 2 is a similar sectional View showing the switch at the completion of the focusing stroke.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken along a point ad'acent the extension of the switch which a justs the position of the lamp.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section of a flashlight showing a form of combined switch and focusing means.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective of the contact nger of Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical section of another form of combined switch and focusing means.

Figure 7 is a vertical section of the Hashlight shown in Figure 6 showing the adjustment of the reflector.

Figure 8 is a horizontal section taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Serial No. 692,860.

Figure 9 is a horizontal section taken along' line 9 9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the reiector and switch in detached relation.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 designates a casing adapted to house the usual flashlight batteries 2 and a compressible spring 3. Said spring is located between the lower cap 4 of the casing and the lowermost battery and is adapted to force the batteries or a battery where only one is employed, towards the top or illuminating end of the casing. The spring engaging the metallic container of the battery and the casing forms part of the electric circuit between the battery and the lamp 5. In other words it forms the electrical connection between the negative element of the battery and `one contact member of said lamp.

The reflector 6 of the ilashlight is mounted in a hood 7 removably mounted on the upper end of the casing 1. A lens 8 is locked to the open end of the hood 7 by a cap 9 threaded upon said hood.

The center of the concave reflector 6 is provided with an opening of sufficient diameter t0 receive an insulating sleeve 10. Said sleeve may be threaded externally tc be screwed into the opening in the reflector or flanges 11 may be provided at its opposite ends to prevent loss of the sleeve from the reflector.

A metallic sleeve 12 has internal threads to receive the threaded plug 13 of the lamp 5, the sleeve being slidable in the insulating sleeve 10. The inner end of sleeve 12 has a laterally extending annular ange 14 adapted to be engaged by a metal fork 15 formed on the end of the sliding switch 16. The sliding switch is of the usual type and is connected at its lower end to a push button 17 slidable upon the outside of the casing 1.

When it is desired to close the circuit to the lamp 5 shown in Figures 1 and 2 the button is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow. The bar 16 is moved inwardly towards the base as is the fork 15 until it engages the flange 14. The circuit between the lamp and battery is now closed and the lam is lighted. T e central contact 18 of t e lamp is always engaged by the positive electrode 19 of the battery 2. Thus when the fork 15 engages the metal flange 14 which is in contact with the metal sleeve of the lamp plug 13 the circuit, is completed to the lamp.

If it be desired to adjust the lamp 5 relative to the reflector 6 for focusing the rays from the lamp, the button 17 is forced further downwards in the direction indicated bythe arrow `whence the fork 15 will force the lamp 5 and batteries 2 in the same direction and thereby change the relationship between the lamp and reflector. The rays are thus focused to the extent desired.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 another form of means is shown for adjusting the relationship betweenthe lamp and the reflector. In this instance an insulating sleeve 10a is employed in the opening 21 of the reflector 6 and the opening is made sufficiently large to accommodate the passage of the lamp 5 without any danger of the lamp elements being engaged by the periphery of the opening in the reflector and thus close the circuit betweenthe battery and lamp.

A contact member 22 is hinged on a pin 23 mounted in bearings 24 formed from the metal of the wall of the casing 1. The metal is cut to form ears which are in turn curled to form the bearings. The outer end of the hinged member 22 is provided with an upturned lip 25 adapted to be received within an opening in the upper free end of the sliding contact bar 16a. The bar is operated in a manner similar to the actuation of the bar 16 of Figures 1 and 2 through the usual push button 17.

The center of the member 22 is enlarged at 26 and provided with an opening 27 adapted to receive the insulated sleeve -10a which receives the metal socket 12 carrying the metal contact flange 14. The lamp plug lis threaded into the socket 12 in the manner shown in Figure 1. The enlargement 26 lat diametrically opposite points is provided with lugs 28 adapted to engage the disk or flange 14.

The bar 16'sl is depressed thereby causing the lugs 28 to engage flange 14 and close the circuit between the lamp and battery. Continued depression of the bar 16a forces the batteries 2 and the lamp 5 inwardly thus changing the relation between the lamp 5 and the reflector 6. By the change of relationship between the lamp and. reflector the rays of the lamp are focused. It must be borne in mind that in any event the circuit is maintained complete while the light is focused since the circuit is only broken by the completion of the reverse movement of the contact'bar 16 or 16a from that indicated bythe arrow in Figures 1 and 4.

Figures 6 to 10 inclusive disclose a form in which the reflector 6a is adjusted relative to the lamp 5 for focusing the light rays from said lamp. It will be noted that the results are the same whether the lamp is moved or the ried.

The reector is provided with a central opening 21a of sufficient diameter to permit adjustment of the reflector so that the lamp may move 'freadily through the openingI without coming in contact with the periphery of said opening.

The sliding contact bar 16" is provided with a perforation 30 at its outer free end to receive a pin 31 secured .laterally to the outer wall of the reflector 6a. Thus sliding movement of the bar 16" changes the position of the reflector relative to the lamp.

A disk of insulatingmaterial secured against movement has a central opening. Secured to the disk and embracing said opening is an internally threaded socket 33 into which is screwed the plug 13 of the lamp 5. The disk 32 has an opening 34 through which moves the contact bar 16". A finger 35 secured to the metal socket 33 has a free end adapted to be engaged by an inwardly curved portion 36 of the bar 16" whereby the circuit between the lamp and position of the reflector is vabattery is closed as the bar 16" is moved outwardly. A continued movement of the sliding bar in this direction moves the .reflector outwardly and thus varies the relative position vof the lamp and reflector for focusing the light rays from the lamp.

vThe hood 7 and reflector 6a are provided with cooperating ribs l37 and 38 formed by indenting the vmetal of said hood and reflector, so that the reflector may be guided in its movements in said hood.

The contact 36 on bar 16" is maintained 'in engagementwith the finger 35 during the focusing movement of the reflector through the reciprocation of said bar.

What I cla-im is:

1. In a flashlight including, a lamp, a battery in circuit with the lamp and' a reflector, the combination of a switch for closing the circuit to the lamp and means adapted to be actuated by the switch for changing the relative positions between the lamp and reflector for focusing the rays from the lamp.

2. In a flashlight including a lamp, a battery in circuit with the lamp and a reflector, the combination of a movable switch for closing the-circuit `to the lamp, and means having connections with the switch movable by the switch for varying the relation between the lamp and reflector for focusing the rays from the lamp.

3. In a flashlight including a lamp, a battery in circuit with the lamp and a reflector, the combination of a movable switch for closing the circuit to .the lamp, and means having connections with the switch and movable by the switch for varying the position of the lamp relative to the reflector for focusing therays from the lamp.

4. In a flashlight including a lamp, a battery in circuit with the lamp and a reflector, the combination of a movable switch for closing the circuit to the lamp, a flange carried by the lamp, and means operated by the switch when the switch has closed the circuit and engaging the flange whereby continued movement of the switch will shift the lamp relative to the reflector.

5. In a flashlight -including a lamp, a battery in circuit with the lamp and a reflector, the combination of a movable switch for closing the circuit to the lamp, means carried by the lamp adapted to be moved by the actuation of the switch for shifting the position of the lamp relative to the reflector for focusing vthe light rays of the lamp.

(S. In a flashlight including a lamp, a battery in circuit with the lamp and a reflector, the combination of a movable switch for closing the circuit to the lamp, means carried by the lamp and means actuated by the switch to engage the means carried by they lamp to close the circuit to the lamp, a continued movement of the switch shifting said means and likewise the lamp for changing the position of the lamp relative to the reflector.

7. In a flashlight including a lamp, a battery in circuit with the lamp and a reflector, the combination of a movable switch for closing the circuit to the lamp, means embracing the lamp and actuated by the movable switch for moving the lamp relative to the reflector.

8. In a flashlight including a lamp, a battery in circuit with the lamp and a reflector, the combination of a movable switch for closing the circuit to the lamp, means embracing the lamp and actuated by the movable switch for moving the lamp relative to the reflector, and means engaged by the embracing means for closing the circuit to the lamp simultaneously with the change in position of the lamp.

. 9. In a flashlight including a lamp, a battery in circuit with thellamp and a reflector, y

the combination of a movable switch for closing the circuit to the lamp, an arm embracing the lamp and connected with the switch adapted to be moved by the actuation of said switch, a flange carried by the lamp and in circuit with said lamp adapted to be engaged by the arm upon movement of the switch for c\losing the circuit to the lamp, said arm being adapted to be further actuated by the switch when in engagement with the flange for varying the position of the lamp relative to the reflector.

10. In a flashlight including a lamp, a battery in circuit with the lamp and a reector, the combination of a movable switch for closing the circuitto the lamp, said reflector having a perforation through which the lamp is movable, means operated by the switch for closing the circuit and varying the position of the lamp relative to the reflector and whereby the lamp is moved through the perforation in said reflector for focusing the light rays.

l1. In a flashlight including a lamp, a battery in circuit with the lamp and a reflector, the combination of a movable switch for closing the circuit to the lamp, said reflector having a perforation through which the lamp is movable, a metal socket forthe lamp carrying a conducting flange and slidable through the perforation in the reflector, means actuated by the switch to engage the flange and close the circuit, said switch being movable to move the last mentioned means for shifting the socket and the lamp relative to the reector.

l2. In a lashlightincluding a lamp, a battery in circuit with the lamp and a rcflector, the combination of a movable switch for closing the circuit to the lamp, and means connecting the switch with the reflector adapted tol be moved by the closing action of the switch for adjusting the position of the reflector relative to the lamp.

13. In a flashlight including a lamp, a battery in circuit with the lamp and a reflector, the combination of a movable switch for closing the circuit to the lamp, and mea-ns connecting the switch with the Ireflector'adapted to be moved by the closing action of the switch for adjusting the position of the reector relative to the lamp, and means for guiding the reflector in its movement.

14. In a flashlight including a lamp, abattery in circuit with the lamp, and a reflector, the combination of a movable switch rod, a finger in circuit with the lamp adapted to be engaged by the switch rod for closing the circuit to the lamp, means connecting the end of the switch rod with the reflector whereby a continued movement of .the switch rod after the switch has closed the circuit will shift the reflector relative to the lamp to focus the light rays from said lamp, the switch maintaining the circuit closed during the adjustment of the reflector.

I-IORTIO MCKENNA.

ses4 

